Assistant coach of the Black Stars, Maxwell Konadu has refuted widespread reports that Kwadwo Asamoah withdrew from the Black Stars team for the AFCON qualifiers because of the return of the Ayew brothers.
On Monday, the Ghana Football Association confirmed, the Inter Milan star had pulled out of the team to face Ethiopia in Addis Ababa on November 18th due to a knee injury.
Asamoah had lasted full 90 minutes in Inter Milan’s 4-1 defeat to Atlanta over the weekend, raising a few eyebrows after he reported himself as injured for the international assignment.
Many believe the 29 year old opted out due to the return of the Ayew brothers but Coach Maxwell Konadu has rubbished such unsubstantiated claims.
“The invitation got to Kwadwo Asamoah two weeks ago, he would have proposed not coming if indeed the Ayews are the reason”.
“He knew the Ayew brothers will come. So, I don’t think that is the reason”, Konadu told Kumasi based Otec FM.
He added that; “You can’t run a national team if you always come out with issues being discussed with the players, we have to protect their privacy”.
The Ayew brothers are returning to the senior national team after last playing in Ghana’s 1-1 draw against Congo in the World Cup qualifier last year in Kumasi.
Ghana Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Richard Ofori (Martizburg, South Africa) Lawrence Ati (Sochaux, France)
Defenders:
Harrison Afful (Columbus Crew, USA) John Boye (FC Metz, France) Lumor Agbenyenu (Sporting CP, Portugal) Andy Yiadom (Reading Football Club, England) Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew, USA) Kassim Nuhu (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany)
Midfielders:
Andre Ayew (Fenerbahce, Turkey) Mubarak Wakaso (Alaves, Spain) Kwadwo Asamoah (Inter Milan, Italy) Afriyie Acquah (Empoli,Italy) Christian Atsu (Newcastle, England) Nana Ampomah (Waasland-Beveren, Belgium) Thomas Partey (Atlético Madrid) Majeed Ashimeru (St. Gallen, Switzerland)
Forwards:
Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace, England) Asamoah Gyan (Kayserispor, Turkey) Majeed Waris (FC Nantes, France) Emmanuel Boateng (Levante, Spain)
